Presque Isle Downs Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Dick Powell offers his picks and analysis for the Presque Isle Downs racing card on Wednesday.

 

Race One:

1^st: (2) BIG THORN – was claimed in each of his last three starts but has dropped in class each time. Two starts back, he was a game second against $20K claimers on the dirt at Churchilll Downs then did nothing in his Tapeta debut last out at Turfway.

2^nd: (6) ALL FOOLS DAY – Five-year-old speedball makes his Tapeta debut after he beat better on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs last out. Maria Bowersock wins 16% first start after a win and goes with regular rider Ron Allen Jr.

3^rd: (4) SAMURAI LEGACY – horse for the course returned off the long layoff and tired in the stretch needing a race.

 

Race Two:

1^st: (4) WATERLOO SUNSET – throw out her races against better company and her record against this level is solid. She finished last season with a good second then raced evenly here last out off the long layoff.

2^nd: (2) SONG OF INDY – horse for the course finished up last year with a solid win as the 17-10 favorite and returns with the claiming tag waived. Mike Rogers wins 13% first start after a win, and Addiel Ayala rides back.

3^rd: (7) DANCE OR STROLL – has won 13 times here over the years and ran pretty well last year in a similar spot.

 

Race Three:

1^st: (3) SAMURAI PRINCE – ran extremely well on the Tapeta at Turfway Park. After a start on the dirt, he came here and was a close third as the odds-on favorite for Bill Morey, who wins 23% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2^nd: (2) DIAMOND DUST – horse for the course has five wins and three seconds in only 10 starts here. He returned off the long layoff last out and battled for the lead before succumbing in very fast time going 5 1/2 furlongs.

3^rd: (5) GOODIE GOOMER – comes in here off three straight wins to finish up last season going short and long.

 

Race Four:

1^st: (2) GROUNDED – returns off the long layoff for Tim Hamm, who only wins 10% in this spot. He went gate to wire here in last start in October and draws well with Pablo Morales, who will probably send him to the front.

2^nd: (5) HARD COUNT – ran well in two starts on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park this winter then shipped up here and weakened late as the odds-on favorite. Edgar Bayeh wins 28% first start off the claim and goes with Huber Villa-Gomez.

3^rd: (4) STRANGE ARRANGE – was used hard from post one and never looked back here last out for Matt Kintz.

 

Race Five:

1^st: (3) ALHAAN – was a good second two starts back going two turns on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park then shipped here and did nothing when moved up in class. Daughter of Kitten’s Joy drops down in class and draws well.

2^nd: (5) SOME KIND OF CRAZY – rallied for third in her career debut here going 5 1/2 furlongs. She comes back against the same maiden claiming level for Matt Kintz, who wins 26% with his overall maiden claimers.

3^rd: (7) I’M HEADING EAST – showed high speed with blinkers added in her Tapeta debut here against this class level.

 

Race Six:

1^st: (8) ROUND OF APPLAUSE – broke her maiden against bottom-level maiden claimers at Turfway Park when blinkers were added that day. Claimed that day by Tim Girten, he came back here with a good second after pressing the pace.

2^nd: (2) CONRADO – broke his maiden on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs when Lasix was added. He came back with two even efforts at Turf Paradise and ships back east for Marcus Vitali, who wins 15% with his overall claimers.

3^rd: (6) UP FOR THE CHANCE – moves back up in class second start off the layoff for John Fennessy.

 

Race Seven:

1^st: (5) LEGEND OF CHARLIE – finished up last season with a good second against state-bred stakes foes. He returned here last out and showed speed to the final furlong for Tim Girten, who wins 38% first start after being beaten as the favorite.

2^nd: (6) PAYNTED WARRIOR – looked good breaking his maiden first time out, but that meant he had stakes foes in his immediate future. Son of Warrior’s Reward did nothing in two starts on the dirt at Parx and now returns to his favorite surface.

3^rd: (7) YOUMUSTBEA WEASLEY – rallied from off the pace against open allowance foes in his first start off the long layoff.

 

Race Eight:

1^st: (2) ANTIGONE – has seven wins on various synthetic-track surfaces. Daughter of Carpe Diem has plenty of back class and was a good second two starts back on the dirt at Tampa Bay Downs. Scooter Davis wins 27% with his overall claimers.

2^nd: (8) BEAUTIFUL STAR – she is only 2-for-29 lifetime and has done her best running on turf. Daughter of Tiznow was an even fourth here going this distance for Gerry Brooks, who wins 18% with his synthetic-track starters and is 4-for-10 riding Addiel Ayala.

3^rd: (1) WINDY CITY GIRL – daughter of Gio Ponti is equally adept on synthetic or turf and draws well today.